CINCINNATI — No question who is one of the early stars of filming for the Cincinnati Bengals’
latest appearance on
Hard Knocks. Whenever the camera crews shoot footage of people catching the ball, rookie
tight end Tyler Eifert often is in the frame.

Just as planned.

Eifert, the 21st overall pick out of Notre Dame, was expected to add another dimension to
Cincinnati’s passing game, which ranked 17th in the league last season. With All-Pro receiver A.J.
Green out after suffering a knee injury in camp, Eifert has been getting the ball more than others
with more experience.

“He’s done everything we thought and more,” offensive coordinator Jay Gruden said. “He’s just
one of those guys that when he makes a play, you kind of look around and see if anybody else saw
what he just did.

“He’s running routes and catching the ball. He’s very natural at what he does. He can beat man
coverage no problem. He can beat zones. He’s got a great feel for the game.”

Green emerged into one of the NFL’s best receivers during his first two seasons, but Cincinnati
hasn’t been able to develop a consistent complement. Green had 97 catches for 1,350 yards and 11
touchdowns last season. The Bengals’ next-best receiver was Andrew Hawkins with 51 catches for 533
yards and four touchdowns. No other receiver had more than 18 catches.

Eifert, 6 feet 6, 250 pounds, was a dependable receiver at Notre Dame, where he lined up in the
slot and at wide-receiver positions. The Bengals plan to use him more like a receiver in two
tight-end formations with Jermaine Gresham.

The Bengals had two main questions about Eifert: How well can he block and how quickly can he
pick up the offense? For now, he’s working on what’s expected in the passing game.

“I’m still trying to learn the offense, make sure I know all the plays and different positions,”
Eifert said. “But I think it’s going pretty smooth.

“I’m starting to get to the point where I don’t have to think about where I’m going and what I’m
doing. It comes more natural. I hope it keeps going that way.”